Ball Joint Separator

[gcdsn76]

After banging on the upper ball joint with a pickle fork and a sledge hammer, it is still not separated. Any recommendations on other tools to use?

[Troy]

Pickle forks are evil! For most of my cars I use the screw on kind (assuming this works on the Mopar upper) that look like the ships from Tron. You can rent/borrow them in multiple sizes from O'Reilly or Autozone.

There's some examples in these sets:
http://www.richtoolsystems.com/product.asp?itemid=355&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3auuBRDj1LnQyLjy-4sBEiQAKPU_vfiaC7kdW-zTS8aI4IxGZWESH6tcBdiztZ0vRxhB2n0aAvKz8P8HAQ

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-6295.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp6824412&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3auuBRDj1LnQyLjy-4sBEiQAKPU_vcsc3R0LLrEwHtKbvqk52Zb5ZqH8nQy-rBoNCUMWGEgaAh0s8P8HAQ

I also own this set:
http://www.manciniracing.com/unfrsuprotok.html

Troy

[krnai555]

User: Troy,

Do these types of sets also work on screw in ball joints? I've run into the issue where I have unscrewed my uppers and lowers but after unscrewing them 5 threads out, they do not come out any further. Do you have any experience/advice on how to get these out?

[Troy]

I guess the answer is "maybe"? That last set from Mancini has the socket but I'm not sure what you do after you unscrew it and it's still attached. I supposed one of the other types would put enough pressure on it to pop it out - assuming you've cleared all the threads. Otherwise you'll tear out the threads from the arm and you're screwed. The original ball joints are "self tapping" (meaning they cut their own threads) and could be installed crooked or have chewed up the first couple of threads.

Troy

[gcdsn76]

The ball joints are winning. I am now at at total loss. I wound up breaking the tool I got from Harbor Freight for ball joint extraction. I know have the control arm/spindle/backing plate off the car because one of the bolts holding the backing plate to the spindle is apparently welded in. Try again tomorrow with heat, but I only have a propane torch. I'm starting to price control arms and spindles on Ebay....

[Troy]

Where do you live? I have most of the front end off a 69 Coronet that I'll never use. Haven't tried to disassemble it though.

Troy

[gcdsn76]

St. Louis